Mathematical
Modelling of Tumour Dormancy

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Many tumours undergo periods in which
they apparently do not grow but remain at a roughly constant size
for extended periods. This is termed tumour dormancy. The
mechanisms responsible for dormancy include failure to develop an
internal blood supply, individual tumour cells exiting the cell
cycle and a balance between the tumour and the immune response to
it. Tumour dormancy is of considerable importance in the natural
history of cancer. In many cancers, and in particular in breast
cancer, recurrence can occur many years after surgery to remove
the primary tumour, following a long period of occult disease.
Mathematical modelling suggested that continuous growth of tumours
was incompatible with data of the times of recurrence in breast
cancer, suggesting that tumour dormancy was a common phenomenon.
Modelling has also been applied to understanding the mechanisms
responsible for dormancy, how they can be manipulated and the
implications for cancer therapy. Here, the literature on
mathematical modelling of tumour dormancy is reviewed. In
conclusion, promising future directions for research are
discussed.

How to cite

@article{Page2009, abstract = {
Many tumours undergo periods in which
they apparently do not grow but remain at a roughly constant size
for extended periods. This is termed tumour dormancy. The
mechanisms responsible for dormancy include failure to develop an
internal blood supply, individual tumour cells exiting the cell
cycle and a balance between the tumour and the immune response to
it. Tumour dormancy is of considerable importance in the natural
history of cancer. In many cancers, and in particular in breast
cancer, recurrence can occur many years after surgery to remove
the primary tumour, following a long period of occult disease.
Mathematical modelling suggested that continuous growth of tumours
was incompatible with data of the times of recurrence in breast
cancer, suggesting that tumour dormancy was a common phenomenon.
Modelling has also been applied to understanding the mechanisms
responsible for dormancy, how they can be manipulated and the
implications for cancer therapy. Here, the literature on
mathematical modelling of tumour dormancy is reviewed. In
conclusion, promising future directions for research are
discussed.
}, author = {Page, K. M.}, journal = {Mathematical Modelling of Natural Phenomena}, keywords = {cancer; dormancy; mathematical models}, language = {eng}, month = {6}, number = {3}, pages = {68-96}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {Mathematical Modelling of Tumour Dormancy}, url = {http://eudml.org/doc/222282}, volume = {4}, year = {2009},}

TY - JOURAU - Page, K. M.TI - Mathematical Modelling of Tumour DormancyJO - Mathematical Modelling of Natural PhenomenaDA - 2009/6//PB - EDP SciencesVL - 4IS - 3SP - 68EP - 96AB -
Many tumours undergo periods in which
they apparently do not grow but remain at a roughly constant size
for extended periods. This is termed tumour dormancy. The
mechanisms responsible for dormancy include failure to develop an
internal blood supply, individual tumour cells exiting the cell
cycle and a balance between the tumour and the immune response to
it. Tumour dormancy is of considerable importance in the natural
history of cancer. In many cancers, and in particular in breast
cancer, recurrence can occur many years after surgery to remove
the primary tumour, following a long period of occult disease.
Mathematical modelling suggested that continuous growth of tumours
was incompatible with data of the times of recurrence in breast
cancer, suggesting that tumour dormancy was a common phenomenon.
Modelling has also been applied to understanding the mechanisms
responsible for dormancy, how they can be manipulated and the
implications for cancer therapy. Here, the literature on
mathematical modelling of tumour dormancy is reviewed. In
conclusion, promising future directions for research are
discussed.
LA - engKW - cancer; dormancy; mathematical modelsUR - http://eudml.org/doc/222282ER -

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